News - Justin Tomlinson

Swindon Advertiser Column - I want The UK To Be The Most Active Nation In Europe

Sep 15, 2023

This week in Parliament, I signed up to a pledge to ‘make the United Kingdom the most active nation in Europe’. This was at an event organised by the sport, recreation, and physical activity sector’s leading bodies, many of whom I have worked with on a number of campaigns / issues since I was first elected to Parliament. If we are to become a healthier, happier, and more prosperous nation, we must address the UK’s relatively poor performance with a worrying 36% of adults classed as ‘physically ...

Justin Visits Evoke Gymnastics To See New Soft Play Offering

Sep 13, 2023

North Swindon MP Justin Tominson paid a visit to the popular Evoke Gymnastics to see its new soft play offering. Evoke Gymnastics is a ‘not for profit’ organisation based in Croft Sports Centre, offering Acrobatic and Rhythmic Gymnastics classes for both recreational and competition level. Evoke is lead by two ex-international gymnasts; Nikita a World Champion in Acrobatic gymnastics and Rebecca a British and Commonwealth Games champion in Rhythmic gymnastics. They also performed all over the wo...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Busy Week Discussing Disability Issues

Sep 08, 2023

In August, new RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete – a building material used since the 1950’s) events came to light reducing confidence that schools could manage RAAC without mitigations in place. As a parent whose eldest daughter starts school this week, I absolutely shared concerns as to whether our local schools would be impacted. Thankfully, as it stands, no local schools are. Any impacted school has been given an individual caseworker and the Chancellor has made it clear the ne...

Justin Meets With Police To Discuss Anti-Social Behaviour In Moredon And Rodbourne Cheney

Sep 08, 2023

Recently, I have been supporting a number of local residents in the Rodbourne Cheney and Moredon area dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour issues. People should be able to feel safe and comfortable in their home and community and it is unacceptable that they should be prevented from doing so by bullies and criminals. To help tackle the issue, I have been working closely with the Borough Council and local policing team to highlight the concerns raised and ensure they are addressed. As par...

VIDEO: Justin Quizzes Minister About Extending The Severe Illness Criteria

Sep 05, 2023

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson took to the floor of the house to ask a question of Disabilities Minister Tom Pursglove. Justin asked the question during DWP oral questions, asking whether the Minister would consider extending the severe illnesses criteria (SIC) to reduce the number of people requiring an assessment to access support. By extending the number of conditions included in the SIC to include conditions with a clear degenerative trajectory, such as motor neurone disease, it is estima...

VIDEO: Justin Speaks During Minister's Work Capability Assessment Statement

Sep 04, 2023

North Swindon MP and former Disabilities Minister, Justin Tomlinson made a contribution during the Department for Work and Pension Secretary's statement regarding changes to Work Capability Assessments. The Work and Pensions Secretary was updating the House regarding proposed changes to the work capability assessment process. The changed aim to ensure that Disabled people assessed as having a limited capability for work are not held back from the opportunity to work. With the majority of long-te...

Swindon Advertiser Column - STFC Community Foundation Show Football's Power To Support Communities

Sep 01, 2023

As a passionate football fan and avid follower of the game, I have seen the positive impact that football clubs can have on their local communities - including Swindon Town. The Swindon Town FC Community Foundation does incredible work to run a number of initiatives which benefit many different groups and people in Swindon. Earlier this year their fantastic work was recognised by the English Football League, as they were awarded EFL's Community Club of the Season for League Two – and I was honou...

Justin Goes Behind The Scenes At Stagecoach Depot

Aug 31, 2023

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson visited the Stagecoach Bus Depot to meet with Rachel Geliamassi, Managing Director of Stagecoach West. The visit began with a behind the scenes tour of the depot, during which Justin took the opportunity to meet the engineers who keep the buses going. Justin was particularly interested to hear about Stagecoach’s Trade Up Scheme, which allows drivers to upskill to engineering role. He spoke to Wayne, who took advantage of the scheme to transfer engineering after ...

Justin Visits Swindon Town FC Community Foundation Facilities

Aug 25, 2023

Football fan and local MP, Justin Tomlinson, has visited the brand-new Swindon Town FC Community Foundation facilities next door to the County Ground. The facility was secured thanks to funding from a variety of sources including the Football Foundation, Government, and the Nigel Eady Trust. Founded in 1991, the club’s community foundation is run by its head Jon Holloway, who has transformed it into a thriving organisation which supports the local community and provides wonderful opportunities f...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Online Sales Tax Can Support High Street Regeneration

Aug 25, 2023

This week I donned my walking boots and joined the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, local Cllr Jake Chandler and Crest for a walking tour of the Tadpole Garden Village Nature Park. This was an opportunity to view progress, identify future plans and to see first-hand the benefits for the environment, wildlife and local residents. The area forms part of the vital 13 mile environmental corridor between North Swindon and Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve, and is managed by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. The Nat...